Living with the right Focus - Colossians 3:1-4

It's hard for me to grasp the concept of seeking the things above. I know it goes along with what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 when he challenged us to seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness. But what does it mean to seek something? When I think back to the California gold rush that began in 1848 I get an idea of seeking something. Over 300,000 people called the forty-niners, because the heyday of the gold rush was 1849, came to California to seek gold. They came across the continent or travelled by sail around South America. They gave up everything to find treasure.
So seeking implies a commitment, perhaps even an obsession, but that still does not answer the question, what does it mean to seek the things above. To discover that, I would encourage you to take 10 minutes of quiet with your journal and pen. What are the priorities of heaven? (the things above, where Christ is), What are the priorities of Jeses? Write down what comes to mind. If you need help, read Colossians 3:1-17 several times. Now, invest another 10 minutes in this question: how would your life change if the priorities of Jesus actually became your priotites? When you answer this question, your on your way to discover what it means to seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

My purpose for the blog

To whoever is interested in following this journal. My purpose in putting these thoughts online is to share with you the wisdom that God has taught me in my years of walking with him. Years ago, when I was 16, a mentor challenged me not just to memorize verses, but to memorize and meditate on entire passages of God's Word. This practice has been the most rewarding spiritual discipline of my life. As I memorize a passage (For example Colossians 3:1-17), I learn what God's word has to say. As I meditate on that passage, God speaks to me clearly about my life. James 1:22-25 speaks of God's Word as a mirror. That's how the Bible works for me. It reveals areas where God wants to change my values, attitudes, words, responses, priorities, goals, or relationships. As I focus on my next step of change, I see God working through circumstances and other people to help me in that change. It's a great process. The other great value that God's Word has been to me is that it has given me wisdom to share with others. I love influencing others for God's Kingdom. I believe influence grows out of love and wisdom. If you don't love people, you won't have the entry into their lives to influence them. If you don't have wisdom from God's Word, you won't have an eternal influence.

I invite you to join me in my journey. I hope you will consider building God's Word in your life. If you don't know where to start. Consider the passage, Colossians 3:1-17. Take about 2 months to memorize it and while you are memorizing it, meditate on each section and journal the truths that God speaks into your life.